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Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen: We will facilitate the operation of international military headquarters in Finland with a new agreement

Finnish Ministry of Defence

Ministry of Defence
Publication date 1.12.2025
Type:Press release

Finland has recently concluded negotiations with NATO's strategic commands on an agreement to supplement the Paris Protocol, facilitating the operation of international military headquarters in Finland. The Ministry of Defence led the negotiations team on the Finnish side.

This is Finland's first NATO-related international agreement prepared under the lead of the Ministry of Defence. The agreement is scheduled for signing in 2025.

The supplementary agreement will strengthen the status of NATO's international military headquarters and facilitate their operation in Finland. It will apply to all NATO's military headquarters in Finland as well as to other military organisations, such as NATO's centres of excellence (COEs), that are considered international military headquarters under the Paris Protocol. The Multi-Corps Land Component Command North (MCLCC-N) in Mikkeli and its personnel and their dependents will be the first headquarters covered by the agreement.

"We will facilitate the operation of international military headquarters in Finland with a new agreement. First, we achieved our defence policy objectives with regard to the MCLCC-N in Mikkeli, and now with this agreement we will ensure that not only the MCLCC-N but also any other international military headquarters later established in Finland can operate and perform their duties to the fullest. The agreement is also a concrete sign that Finland's NATO integration is making good progress," said Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen.

Establishing an international military headquarters in Finland and adjusting the number of their personnel remain subject to approval by Finland. In addition, Finland will approve any headquarter activities that, for example, require an increase of personnel strength.

The supplementary agreement contains provisions on various matters such as taxation, environmental protection, health and safety, telecommunications, vehicles and education. The basic principle is that NATO military headquarters enjoy the same opportunities and conditions in Finland as the Finnish Defence Forces.

For the duration of their NATO missions, NATO general and flag officers will be accorded immunities and privileges comparable to those enjoyed by foreign diplomats.

A draft government proposal on the agreement is scheduled to be circulated for comments on the Lausuntopalvelu.fi website in January 2026. The Government plans to submit its proposal on the agreement to Parliament in mid-April 2026.